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The Daily Illini Spotlights EnterpriseWorks AWARE Program

The Advancing Women and Underrepresented Entrepreneurs (AWARE) program, led by Laura Bleill, Associate Director of Research Park in collaboration with Jed Taylor, Executive Director of the Technology Entrepreneur Center, was highlighted in The Daily Illini's February 19, 2019 issue. The program serves as a remarkable attempt in helping women and other inadequately represented minorities achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

The article discusses what led to the creation of the program and its main objectives. Jed Taylor said, "Rather than creating special workshops for these entrepreneurs, our goal is to find ways to funnel them into the existing programs and make the existing ecosystem more accessible."

Karin O'Connor, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, shares her views on how the program can make relevant resources more accessible to underrepresented groups in the Technology Startup sector. The article emphasizes the impact of the events held by EnterpriseWorks in the overall success of AWARE.

Leanna Labriola, an opthalmologist in Urbana, and an entrepreneur, shares her first-hand experience attending an AWARE event and how it has made her want to get more involved with this wonderful initiative.